Cumberland History with Denis Perriam
From Chartist agitator to Royal newsagent
Published 2 January 2009
Little is known of the life of James Arthur, bookseller in Carlisle, but from his obituary in the Carlisle Journal it is surprising to find “he was a disciple of Fergus O’Connor and a friend of Bowman and Hanson and other local Chartist leaders and from his shop in Rickergate most of the Chartist literature of the day was disseminated.”
A taste of old honey
Published 23 December 2008
Boot and shoe trader John Drinkall had another passion. In a letter to the Carlisle Journal in July 1877 the Castle Street businessman said: “I often wonder how it is that bees are so much neglected in this district.”
What Penny Dreadfuls did to yesterday’s kids
Published 19 December 2008
Concerns were expressed in Cassell’s Household Guide in 1877 about “injurious positions for children.” It was believed that “many deformities arise from the habit of standing on one foot, as also by the wearing of low frocks, which is an encouragement to thrust up one or other shoulder”.
It’s panto time again – oh yes it is!
Published 12 December 2008
Many readers will remember taking part in nativity plays and pantomimes at school. As you can see from these photographs dating back over 35 years the participants take their responsibilities very seriously.
How the great quake affected Cumbria
Published 12 December 2008
Among the list of fallen in 1917 was Captain Richard Brisco MC, of the Tunnelling Company of the Royal Engineers, the eldest son of Richard Brisco of Croft House, Wreay.
Flashback: Your're in the army now (almost)
Browse our gallery of pictures to take a nostalgic look at The Army Cadet Force which has long been active in Cumbria.
Missing for months in the southern seas
Published 28 November 2008
News was breaking in February 1877 of “the fate of the missing ship the Ada Iredale of Liverpool”. At first there seemed to be no reason why this should be reported in the Carlisle Journal, but it soon became apparent that there were a number of local associations.
Peterloo and the revolution that never happened
Published 22 November 2008
In July this year was the launch of the Peterloo Memorial Campaign which featured on the BBC News At Ten.
A medieval miracle in stained glass
Published 7 November 2008
Much has been written about the magnificent east window of Carlisle Cathedral but there are gaps in its later history.
Let there be gas before moonrise
Published 31 October 2008
As early as 1837 the Paisley Advertiser wrote of the “great improvements in domestic economy” where gas had been substituted for coal in houses for heating, lighting and cooking.
Morton Estate, where toffs made their home
Published 24 October 2008
The Cummersdale enclosure map in Cumbria Record Office, drawn in January 1770, shows Joseph Borriskill’s ground on Wigton Road between Suttle House and Morton Head, just over a mile and a half west of Carlisle.
The Lady in Black; a Victorian melodrama
Published 17 October 2008
While railway officials were investigating the causes of a fatal crash to the south of the Citadel Station at St Nicholas Junction, police were trying to identify the dead.
The grandest pumping station in Christendom
Published 10 October 2008
As early as 1818 the Carlisle Patriot received a letter suggesting a water company for Carlisle.
Man with the magic soda water fountain
Published 3 October 2008
The main streets in Carlisle usually kept the same name over the centuries but the narrow lanes crossing the city often changed as principal property owners came and went.
Time team digs into the Ragged School site
Published 26 September 2008
In a letter to The Cumberland News in February 1964, Margaret Scott wrote: “I think it was a great pity that the old Ragged School, a worthy memorial to the Head family, should have been so ruthlessly destroyed... this school was a pioneer in creating education for the poor and should have been preserved.”
The families who called Bunkers Hill home
Published 19 September 2008
The first major engagement in the American War of Independence was fought on the Charlestown peninsula on June 17, 1775.
Digging up the grave secrets of Lord Howard’s remains
Published 12 September 2008
Writing on the subject of church bells in 1889, the Rev Henry Whitehead, of Brampton, raised an interesting problem which at first appeared to have nothing to do with his subject.
Simply the best station in the kingdom
Published 5 September 2008
On more than one occasion the Carlisle Journal praised the smooth running of the Citadel Station in the city.
Trinity School, long before SATs and proms
Published 29 August 2008
When Holy Trinity Church was built in Caldewgate in 1830 and the Canal Branch Railway opened in 1837, a small triangle of land was left on Caldcotes adjoining the churchyard.
Prehistoric bling from an age of gold
Published 26 August 2008
Many of us are familiar with Prehistory being referred to as the Stone, Bronze and Iron Ages, but a Gold Age?
Found: One prehistoric axe, not much used
Published 22 August 2008
The customs and beliefs of our most ancient ancestors present some of the most impossible challenges for archaeologists.
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- Sekers: the movie
- Cleator hotel temporarily closes
- 12 jobs to go as card shops shut
- In profile: the team who are set to run Sellafield
- New lease of life for brave Katelyn
- Anti-social behaviour in town
- Double-death crash: man has been arrested
- We won’t let Haven RL go under says council Add your comments
- Plunging in to 2009
- Sellafield Ltd in legal row with training organisation
- That was 2008 that was!
- Cumbria kids return to school after snow day-off
- Lake District death fall woman named
- 'Code Red' cold weather alert issued - and snow on way
- Plunging in to 2009
- The 2008 picture album
- Cleator hotel temporarily closes
- New lease of life for brave Katelyn
- Sekers: the movie
- Kids' deadly game on frozen Cumbria lakes
